Rocking assembly



Feb. 1 l, 1969 G. l.. CAUTHRON ROCKING AS SEMBLY Sheet med April 19, 1967 I l I INVENTOR.

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Feb. l1, 1969 G. L.. cAuTHRoN ROCKING ASSEMBLY sheet 2 Filed April 19, 1967 FVG.

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Geo V5@ 4. 04a Pff/20A( BY United States Patent O 3,426,369 ROCKING ASSEMBLY Grover L. Cauthron, West Sacramento, Calif. (BOX 440, Republic, M0. 65738) Filed Apr. 19, 1967, Ser. No. 631,971 U.S. Cl. -109 Int. Cl. A47d 9/02; A61h 1/00 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation-in-part of my previous application, Ser. No. 582, 452, tiled Sept. 27, 1966.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to a rocking assembly of the type which is used with a bed and is more particularly concerned with an inexpensive device which is preferably secured to a preexisting bed or crib frame.

Description ofthe prior art It is known in the prior art to use a longitudinally oscillating bed for persons having respiratory disorders in order to provide assistance in breathing. According to one theory, the rocking action alternately imposes the weight of internal organs against the diaphragm and then removes this weight by means of the change in the inclination of the body. In this way the diaphragm is actuated in a manner which imposes a collapsing and expanding action on the lungs to provide breathing assistance.

It has been the inventors experience that small children suffering from respiratory disorders may require one of the parents carrying the child during the night so that the child could breathe. Although parents are quite willing to make such sacrifices, it will be readily apparent that the adults will become fatigued from loss of sleep and from additional exertion. In a somewhat different manner the child suffers from such an arrangement because of the random movement of the parent which is less advantageous than the systematic movement of the rocking assembly of the instant invention.

Although there are prior art devices which accomplish generally the same result as the device of the instant invention, certain disadvantages have been found. For example, the prior art devices appear to be unduly complex and expensive and normally expose the driving mechanism thereby making it possible for a child to injure himself. Another disadvantage of the known prior art devices is that a complete oscillating bed is provided thereby necessitating undue capital outlay when the parents already own a conventional bed or crib.

SUMMARY In brief terms, the device of the instant invention overcomes these disadvantages by providing an enclosed receptacle housing the drive means and providing a pivotally mounted mattress board thereon and further including means on the receptacle for securing the assembly centrally of a preexisting bed frame. It will accordingly be seen that the rocking assembly of the instant invention may be positioned in a preexisting bed or crib frame 3,426,369 Patented Feb. 11, 1969 ICC thereby minimizing capital expenditures on the part of the parents. In one model of the instant invention, the device was made of plywood and other off-the shelf components having a total material cost of less than twenty dollars.

It is a primary object ofthe instant invention to provide a. rocking assembly which may be selectively secured to a preexisting bed or crib frame.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a rocking assembly 0f the character described in which the driving components of the device are enclosed in a receptacle thereby precluding injury to curious individuals.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide a rocking assembly of the character described in which the necessary rotatable shafts are journaled in components of the receptacle thereby minimizing costs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of the rocking assembly of the instant invention illustrated as secured to a conventional crib frame shown in dashed lines;

FIGURE 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the rocking assembly and crib frame o-f FIGURE 1 taken substantially along line 2 2 thereof as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the device of FIGURES l and 2 taken substantially along line 3 3 of FIGURE 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIGURE 4 is another vertical cross-sectional view of the rocking assembly of FIGURES l and 2 taken substantially along line 4 4 of FIGURE 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is an alternative view showing a preferred drive 4means and angular movement adjusting means shown in elevation and partial cross-section;

FIGURE 6 is a top view of the drive means of FIG- URE 5 shown in partial cross-section and taken substantially along line 6 6 in the direction of the arrows as shown in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a side View of the motor and the motor support of the drive means of FIGURE 5 taken substantially along lines 7 7 in the direction of the arrows as shown in FIGURE 5 FIGURE 8 is an end view of the motor of FIGURE 7 taken substantially along line 8 8 -in the direction of the arrows as shown in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is the preferred alternative drive means for the present invention showing a side elevational view in partial cross-section;

FIGURE 10 is a top plan view of the invention as shown in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a partial view showing yet another and preferred alternative drive means for the present invention;

FIGURE l2 is a preferred alternative drive means shown -in side elevational View;

FIGURE 13 is a top plan view of the invention of FIG- URE 12;

FIGURE 14 is a side elevational view shown in partial cross-section of a modification of the invention of FIG- URE l2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGURES 1 through 4 in detail, wherein like reference characters designate like elements throughout the Iseveral views thereof, a conventional crib frame is designated `generally at 10 and is comprised of a plurality of load supporting legs 12 interconnected by slats 14. Crib fralme 10 also includes a pair of longitudinally extending rails 16 for normally supporting a mattress board and mattress in a conventional manner. The rocking assembly of the instant invention is illustrated generally at 18 land is used to provide longitudinal oscillation of a mattress board 20 on which the afflicted individual lies during sleep. It will be readily apparent that rocking assembly 18 is not a bed in the sense that it does not have a headboard, a footboard or iside rails. It will be seen, however, -that it may be used either in conjunction `with a bed or crib frame or alone yto provide a device on which the aficted person may sleep.

Rocking assembly 18 includes a receptacle designated generally at 22 t `aving a bottom Wall 24, side walls 26, 28 :and end walls 30, 32. An extension 34, 36 on each of end walls 30, 32 provides means for securing assembly 18 centrally of crib frame and includes an elongate member forming notches 38, 40 for receiving rails 16 in load supporting relation. A pair of transversely spaced ears 42, 44 extend upwardly from side walls 26, 28 and include aligned apertures 46, 48 providing a transverse pivot axis for mattress board 20. A rod 50 extends between apertures 46, 48 and is received by a pair of flanges 52, 54 extending downwardly from mattress board thereby providing for rotation of mattress board 20 about the axis of rod 50.

Spaced from flanges 52, 54 along the longitudinal axis of mattress board 20 is another pair of downwardly extending flanges 56, 58 receiving a rod 60 therebetween mounting a link 62 for pivotal movement about the axis of rod 60. A drive means shown generally at 64 sequentially raises and lowers pivoted link 62 thereby longitudinally oscillating mattress board 20 about the axis of rod 50.

Drive means 64 includes a conventional electric motor 66 secured to bottom wall 24 by a U-shaped bracket 68 and a plurality of frictional fasteners 70 of any conventional type such as rivets, screws, bolts or the like. Motor -66 includes a drive shaft 72 mounting a first pulley 74 thereon for rotation therewith. A first endless belt 76 surrounds first pulley 74 and a second pulley 78 xedly mounted on a shaft 80 for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of drive shaft 72. One end of shaft 80 is mounted for rotation by a bearing block 82 fixedly secured to side Wall 26 as shown best in FIGURES 2 and 4. The other end of shaft 80 is received in la bearing block 84 slidably mounted by a bearing block assembly shown generally at 86 as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

A third pulley 88 is xedly mounted on shaft 80 and spaced from second pulley 78 by a spacing wheel 90 for transmitting the rotation of shaft 78 toa founth pulley 92 by the use of a second endless belt 94. Fourth pulley 92 and a fifth pulley 96 are fxedly mounted on a shaft 98 and spaced apant by a spacing wheel 100 in much the same manner that shaft 80, second pulley 78 and third pulley 88 :are related. Shaft 98 is mounted for rotation at one end thereof in a fixed bearing block 102 secured to side wall 26 and at the other end by a bearing block 104 mounted for movement in assembly 86.

The rotation of fifth pulley 96 is transmitted by a third endless belt 106 to a sixth pulley 108 lixedly mounted on a shaft 110. A vertical wall 112 receives shaft 110 -for rotation with a right angled vertical wall 114 providing for the rigidity of bearing wall 112. Stabilizer wheels 107 and 109 are mounted on shaft 110 on opposite sides of pulley 108 and wall 112. The other end of shaft 110 is mounted in a bearing block 116 supported by bearing block assembly 86. Mounted adjacent the free end of shaft 110 is an oE-center means designated generally at 118 comprised of a crank wheel 120 centrally mounted on shaft 110 for rotation about the axis thereof. A pin 122 is fixedly secured to crank wheel 112 adjacent the circumference thereof and is rotatably received in an aperture formed in the lower end of link 62. It will be readily apparent that the driving of motor 66 will result in the rotation of crank wheel 120 at a reduced rotary speed to raise and lower pin 122 in a systematic manner. Because of the pivoted nature `of link 62, it will be readily seen that the rotary movement of crank wheel effects the oscillation of mattress board 20 about the axis o-f rod 50.

Bearing blocks 84, 104, 116 are held in lassembly 86 which is comprised of an upper and lower rail, 124, 126 spaced apart a sufficient ldistance to closely receive the upper and lower ends of bearing blocks 84, 104, 116. Facing plates 128, 130 are secured to rails 124, 126 and extend inwardly toward the axis of shafts 80, 98, 110 to preclude outward movement of 4bearing blocks S4, 104, 116. Tension springs 132, 134, 136 are respectively connected to bearin-g blocks 84, 104, 116 and urge the bearing blocks to the left as shown in FIGURE 2. The c0- action of stationary shaft supports 82, 102, 112 with biased slidable supports 84, 104, 116 acts to align shafts 80, 98, 110 and thereby insure la driving connection between motor 66 and crank wheel 120.

Reference is now made to FIGURES 5 through 8 for the description of an alternative embodiment.

In this embodiment, a receptacle 200 is provided which includes an upwardly extending plate 202 secured by fasteners 204 to each side wall of receptacle 200. A pin 206 extends from the plate 202 and is selectively received in a desired apenture 208, 210 or 212, l'as may be desired. The apertures 208, 210 and 212 are formed in a downwardly extending support member 214 on the mattress board 216.

In this embodiment, a motor 218 which is conventionally of the rotary electric type, is resiliently suspended by a plurality of springs 220 and 222 which are supported at their upper ends by a cross member 224 which in turn is supported by a pair of en-d |blocks 226 and 228. For reasons to be shown hereinafter, the motor is biased toward one end of the receptacle by at least one spring 230 which is connected to the receptacle by a conventional means such as a ring 232. Any conventional means such as rings 234 and'236 may be pnovided on the motor for connection of the springs thereto.

In this embodiment, a shaft 238 is rotatably driven by means of pulley 240 on motor 218, and endless belt 242 and a pulley 244 on the shaft 238. The shaft 238 is supported by journal members 246 and 248 and may include a plurality of spacers 250 thereon. A pair of pulleys 252 and 254 are carried on -shaft 238 adjacent the ends thereof. By means of endless belts 256 and 258, pulleys 260 and 262 and shaft 264 are rotatably driven. Shaft 264 is journalled in movable blocks 266 and 268 which may be vertically adjusted by any desired means such as bolts 270 and 272. These bolts may be threadably engaged in nuts, such as nut 274, received in movable journal box 266 and 268. Thus, shaft 264 is vertically movable and m-ay be adjusted by bolts 270 `or an equivalent mechanism to any desired vertical position.

Shaft 264 also carries thereon a pair of pulleys 276 and 278 which, lby means of endless belts 280 and 282, drive pulleys 284 and 286 `and shaft-like member 288. Shaft-like member 288 is journalled at its ends in fixed journal box 290 and 292 and has an eccentric or offcenter portion 294 therein. An additional enclosure about the eccentric portion may also be included as shown at 296. Link 298 is connected at one end to the eccentric member 294 Iand pivotally connected as shown at 300 to the mattress board.

Before proceeding to the next embodiment, -it is pointed out that by means of springs 230 the motor 218 is biased tow-ard one end of the receptacle to thereby maintain tension in endless belt 242. In order to maintain the desired tension in endless belts 256, 258, 280 and 282, shaft 264 and the pulleys thereon, pulleys 260, 262, 276 and 278, are vertically 'adjustable to take up any slack which may appear lin any of the belts and may be adjusted as the belts wear in. This controls the frictional drive between the motor and the mattress board.

Reference is made now to FIGURES 9 `and 10 for yet another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, drive link 298 is provided from a motor 302 which drives a speed reducing mechanism which includes a worm 304 and a gear 30'6 driven by a Worm. Shaft 308 and sprocket 310 are driven by gear 306. The rotary motion from sprocket 310 is transmitted through chain 312 to sprocket 314 which is secured to `a shaft-like member 316 which is rotably supported by journal bearings shown at 318, 320 and 322 and includes an off-center portion 324 which receives link 298. The journal bearings may be supported by any desired support means shown generally at 326.

Thus, it will be seen that upon rotation of shaft-like memlber 316, by means of the off-center portion 324, the link 298 reciprocates to pivot mattress board 216 about the selected pivot point `on member 214. It will be understood that the angular travel of the mattress board 216 will be controlled by the selected pivot point on member 214.

FIGURE 11 shows an embodiment similar to that shown in FIGURES 9 and 10 except that a wheel 328 is secured to shaft 308 and carries an eccentrically positioned pin 330 thereon. Link 298 is rotatably received on the eccentric pin 330. Thus, rotation of Wheel 328 will cause reciprocation of link 298 and rocking movement of the mattress board in the manner previously described'.

Reference is made now to FIGURES 12 and 13 which discloses yet another embodiment of the drive mechanism of this invention. In this embodiment, a receptacle 400 is provided for supporting and containing the Vdrive means. A plate 402 secured by any conventional means 404 to the sides of receptacle 400 carries a pin 406 thereon. Pin 406 may selectively be received in apertures 408, 410 or 412 in downwardly extending ysupport member 414 on mattress board 416. Motor 418 carrying a pulley 420 thereon rotates a `shaft 422, which is supported by journal box 424 and 426 at the ends thereof, lby means of a pulley 428 and an endless belt 430. Eccentrically mounted on shaft 422 is a wheel 432 which is provided with a track 434 therein. A lever 436, which is pivotally -mounted tby a pin 438 and a pair of supports 440 and 442, carries an extension 444, which may be `a roller, thereon `for being received in 'the track 434. Thus, as the eccentric wheel 432 rotates, the lever 436 is caused to pivot yabout the pin 438. This ydistal end of lever 436 is pivotally connected at 446 to a link 448 which is turn pivotally connected as shown at 450 to the mattress board 416.

Thus, as lever 436 is caused to pivot about point 438 by the rotary motion of eccentric wheel 432, link 448 reciprocates causing rocking motion of the mattress board 416. The angular travel of mattress Iboard 416 is controlled by the selected Iposition of the pivot in aperture 408, 410 or 412, as described.

The embodiment of FIGURE 14 is a slight departure from the embodiment of FIGURE 12 but utilizes a similar principle. In this embodiment, shaft 422 is rotatably ydriven by asprocket 452 on the motor, and endless chain 454 and a sprocket 456 on shaft 422. A cam member 458 is eccentrically secured on shaft 422 and is engaged with a roller 460 which is secured on the end of lever 436. A second roller 462 is secured `on the other end of lever 436 and is in rollable engagment with a Wear plate 464 on the bottom of mattress board 416. A resilient member such as spring 466 is provided and is secured at one end by a ring 468 and at the other end 470 to the mattress board and to the llever respectively to lmaintain roller 460 in engagement with the cam 458. Of course, a counterweight could be attached ne-ar the distal end of lever 436 as shown generally Iat 472 in dotted lines to acomplish the same purpose.

It is now seen that there is herein provided an improved rocking assembly which 'accomplishes all of the objects and advantages of the instant invention including many advantages of great practical utility and' commercial importance.

Since many embodiments may be made of the instant inventive concept, and since many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and -described, it is to be understood that the foregoing is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in Ia limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A rocking assembly for inducing sleep and promoting respiration comprising:

an elongated receptacle 4having a transverse pivot axis for -a mattress board;

a mattress board mounted on the transverse pivot axis for up and down movement;

a link pivotally mounted on the mattress board at a point spaced along the longitudinal axis thereof away from the transverse pivot axis;

drive means disposed in the receptacle, including offcenter means drivingly engaged with the llink for selectively driving the `link to oscillate the mattress board about the pivot axis, said drive means further comprising an electric motor, means resiliently suspending the motor in the receptacle, and means resiliently biasing said suspended motor `for movement towards an end of the receptacle and in a direction away from said off-center driving means; and

means on the receptacle for securing the assembly centrally of a preexisting Ibed frame.

2. The rocking assembly of claim 1 wherein the securing means includes at least one extension on each side of the receptacle having 1an end congured to engage the bed frame in load supporting relation.

3. The rocking assembly of claim 2 wherein the extension end includes a downwardly Vfacing shoulder for engaging a longitudinal bed rail.

4. The rocking assembly of claim 2 wherein the extension end includes a notch 'forming upwardly and downwardly facing shoulders for engaging a longitudinal bed rail.

5. The rocking assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

means for selectively positioning the transverse pivot -axis at selecte-d vertical positions relative to the mattress board for controlling the angular pivotal travel of the mattress board.

6. The rocking assembly of claim 5 wherein the drive means comprises:

a shaft-like member having the olf-center portion connected `to the link, said shaft-like member being rotatably mounted substantially parallel to the axis of the motor in the receptacle;

at least one pulley on the shaft-like member;

a pulley on the motor;

a vertically movable rotatably mounted shaft between the motor and the shaft-like member;

at least two pulleys on the shaft-like member;

at least two endless belts drivingly interconnecting the motor and the movable shaft and the shaft-like member respectively, said belts being received on said pulleys; and

means for vertically adjusting the position of the movable shaft lto thereby adjust the drive friction of said belts.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,733,115 10/1929 Capito et al. 5--109 2,311,542 2/1943 Hotme 5--109 X 2,543,043 2/1951 Militello 5-104 X 2,696,207 12/ 1954 Bushnell 128-33 2,869,145 1/1959 Gregory 5--109 3,060,925 10/ 1962 Honsacker et al 128-25 3,247,528 4/ 1966 Swenson et al. 5-62 CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

